This has led to an increase in the number of Americans detained in Russia at a time of heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The name of the detained soldier was not released.
“In 2024 May 2 “Russian officials have detained an American soldier in Vladivostok, Russia, on allegations of criminal conduct,” US military spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said.
She noted that Russia has informed the US State Department, which is “providing the serviceman with the necessary consular support”, and the military has in turn informed his family.
“Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide further details at this time,” the spokeswoman added.
Asked earlier about reports of a soldier being detained in Russia, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: “We are aware of this.”
According to NBC News, the soldier traveled to Russia on his own initiative. At that time, CNN reported that the soldier was arrested on suspicion of theft and was remanded in custody.
Russia has said that a US soldier accused of theft will remain in custody until July
A little earlier, the US military announced that on May 2 A U.S. serviceman has been detained in Russia on criminal charges, identified by Vladivostok City Court as Gordon Black, but noted that due to the sensitivity of the matter, it could not provide further details.
Court spokeswoman Elena Oleneva was quoted by state news agency Ria Novosti as saying Mr Black would remain in custody until July 2. for theft.
Russian tabloid Izvestia and social media platform Baza, which claims to have sources close to law enforcement, reported that Mr. Black beat up his Russian girlfriend and stole money and alcohol from her while visiting Vladivostok.
Russian officials have detained several US citizens in recent years. Critics accuse Moscow of using the detainees as a bargaining chip to exchange them for Russians imprisoned in the United States.
